how is this safer?

[bphgravity]

Maybe its a product standard issue that the NEC is simply restating. Perhaps it's because smaller loads have smaller parts and components that may not be capable or suitable of the stress of higher voltages?

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

I would think the reason would be to discourage the use of 240v circuits, which have the potential to do more damage to the human body. Unless you have a good reason (such as a high-power piece of equipment) stick to 120v.

 

[petersonra]

I would think the reason would be to discourage the use of 240v circuits, which have the potential to do more damage to the human body. Unless you have a good reason (such as a high-power piece of equipment) stick to 120v.

Why do you think this? I am not all that sure it is true. I suspect the real reason for the rule is simply to encourage standardization of most plug connected loads to 120V.

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

I guess I was thinking there was the potential to get shocked by a higher voltage which would cause more current in the body. But after considering it I realized the danger it still using your body to make a circuit path to ground. This would still only be 120v. I guess the danger of getting 240v through you at a 240v outlet is unrealistic.

 

[stickboy1375]

I guess I was thinking there was the potential to get shocked by a higher voltage which would cause more current in the body. But after considering it I realized the danger it still using your body to make a circuit path to ground. This would still only be 120v. I guess the danger of getting 240v through you at a 240v outlet is unrealistic.

I love it when someone tells me they have been shocked by 240 volts...

 

[iwire]

I love it when someone tells me they have been shocked by 240 volts...

You almost have to try to get a true 240 volt shock.

I doubt many appliance users have ever received a 240 volt shock.

 

[hillbilly]

You almost have to try to get a true 240 volt shock.

I doubt many appliance users have ever received a 240 volt shock.

They must have because it was "wired with 240 volt wire".
I hear that quite often.

steve

 

[stickboy1375]

And it hurts twice as much... :grin:

 

[benaround]

I'm thinking that it's to make sure that higher wattage, 240vac, heaters

are perminently screwed to the walls, and not just a bunch of recpts. with

higher wattage heaters plugged into them, ending up under the bed, or with

piles of clothes stacked on top!! JMO.

 

[Terrynistler]

That could be but you haven't been in some of the houses I have been in. Some people can pile stuff everywhere. I am talking mountains of stuff. I don't think that there is a way to teach them safety.

I am also a firefighter (volunteer) and it is pretty clear why a lot of houses burn. I recently was a responder to a fire in a garage. The garbage was stacked up 7' tall on the side opposite the door and a little above floor level at the door.

They had a space heater plugged in and as soon as it got cold enough it turned on and started a fire. It was on a workbench at the end of the garage! These people were too lazy to take there garbage to the curb it wasn't about money it is included in the water bill.

How do you protect stupidity/laziness? I have lots more that were officially blamed on space heaters but they didn't cause the fire the people caused the fire.

 

[pfalcon]

while studing to brighten my future.I came across a question in a study guide that I can't understand,how the code rule makes it safer for the un-electricaly inclined.The question reads,"Is a 1200 watt,240-volt heater,on a cord plug-in legal in a dwelling unit." the anwser is no. "The load must be greater that 1440watts for voltages higher than 120. "210.6(a)(2). I repeat WHAT?

Remember that the 1200w heater on a 120v cord is called a hairdryer. :grin:

It's not the appliance at 1440w we are worried about, it's the exposure to a 240VAC @ 30A circuit when the homeowner only needs to be exposed to a 120VAC @ 15A circuit.

If there were 24VDC 5A circuits common in every household there would be a code that said loads must be over 150w for voltages over 24VDC.

A homeowner messing with 120VAC @ 15A is considered safer than a homeowner messing with 240VAC @ 30A. After all, as long as I don't ground meself I can pull the busted cord out o the outlet with me pliers.

 

[dlhoule]

Forget 240 try 460

Forget 240 try 460

I love it when someone tells me they have been shocked by 240 volts...

Well, I can't speak to the 240 Volt shock; but I can tell you that 460 Volts pack a pretty good wallop.:smile:

 

[iwire]

Larry how did you find yourself line to line on a 480 system?

I once got 480 across the back of my hand for a split second and that hurt a lot.

 

[dlhoule]

It was really quite easy. :grin: I was down on my haunches, doing some trouble shooting on a resistance welder and someone walked behind me and bumped me in the process. I stuck out my hands when I lost my balance and wound up going across the 2 Ignitrons which at that time had 460 Volts on them. It was an experience I have since avoided. I might add that the worse thing about it was hitting the guard rail on the back side of balcony. My back was sore for close to 2 months and the bruise ran from below waist to just below shoulders.

The smiley is because I can still talk about it.